how does becoming a lawyer wok through boston university

by Jay Sanford 5 min read

Is Boston University a good law school?

Becoming a Lawyer. Through their personal statements, current students share their greatest influences, professional aspirations, and why they applied to BU Law. Passionate students from across the globe choose BU Law for many different reasons.

How long does it take to get a law degree at BU?

BU Law Dual Degree Programs Earn two degrees in less time and at lower cost. The study of law is increasingly informed by an understanding of other disciplines. Coupling a law degree with other postgraduate studies is more valuable than ever. Choose from our 16 different dual degree programs. Most can be completed in six or seven semesters.

What is the teaching method at Boston University School of law?

Through a series of writing assignments, students will be introduced to the manner in which lawyers reason. Students will be introduced to the distinction between a factual issue and a legal issue, they will be taught to write case briefs, and they will be instructed in the IRAC (Issue, Rule, Application, Conclusion) style of legal writing analysis.

Is Boston a good place to work as a lawyer?

Aug 18, 2021 · Average Salary for a Criminal Justice Lawyer. Criminal Justice Lawyers in America make an average salary of $61,066 per year or $29 per hour. The top 10 percent makes over $97,000 per year, while the bottom 10 percent under $38,000 per year. Average Salary.

Is Boston University a good pre-law school?

Law services, as well as most law schools, state specifically that a pre-law curriculum is not particularly advantageous or even desirable. Boston University, therefore, does not offer a specific pre-law major.18 Sept 2020

How long is law school in Boston?

about three yearsGenerally, this program takes about three years to complete.

How hard is it to get into Boston law?

BU Law ranks #22 in terms of student selectivity with an acceptance rate of 25.9% among those who applied for admission. BU Law ranks #26 in terms of highest median undergraduate GPA (3.74) among those applicants granted admission who enrolled as full-time students.

Is Boston University good for law?

Why BU Law? Founded in 1872, Boston University School of Law is a top-tier law school with a faculty recognized nationally for exceptional teaching and preeminent scholarship. You can explore virtually any area of the law in 200+ classes and seminars, 20+ clinics and externships, and 20 study abroad opportunities.

What is Boston College law known for?

BC Law ranked 2nd in New England for producing the most "Super Lawyers" (Super Lawyers Magazine) and 12th nationally (National Jurist). We also ranked in the top 30 for graduates securing full-time/long-term positions requiring bar passage (American Bar Association data).

How hard is a law degree?

Law School is a Heavy Workload Earning a law degree is pretty challenging because you are supposed to do a lot of hard work. This work comprises mostly of studying and understanding complex law cases loaded with new-fangled legal terminology and unusual jargon.3 Dec 2019

What rank is USC law school?

University of Southern California (Gould) is ranked No. 20 in Best Law Schools. Schools are ranked according to their performance across a set of widely accepted indicators of excellence.

What's the LSAT score range?

120 to 180The LSAT scale ranges from 120 to 180, with 120 being the lowest possible score and 180 being the highest possible score.

What is the average LSAT score?

around 150The LSAT has a scale of 180 down to 120. The average LSAT score is around 150. The LSAT has a margin of error, but 145 is considered a symbolic line by legal education experts and school administrators.16 Jan 2015

How long is Law School in MA?

The Massachusetts Board of Bar Examiners specifies that you must have a Bachelor of Laws (the foreign equivalent of the J.D. degree) or Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree in order to sit for the Commonwealth's bar exam. This course of study typically takes three years to complete.

Does BU Law give scholarships?

BU Law provides generous scholarship funding for JD students that includes merit- and need-based scholarships. To maximize your opportunity to receive scholarship funding, you are encouraged to apply for scholarship aid—even if you have not yet received an admissions decision.

What is a BU law degree?

Earn a BU Law JD degree and an LLM degree from one of world’s top 25 universities, according to Times Higher Education. In the JD/LLM in Asian Legal Studies Program with the National University of Singapore, you will spend your third year immersed in the laws, legal systems, institutions, and legal traditions of South, Southeast, and East Asia. If you want to practice law in Asian markets, this dual degree will introduce you to country-specific and regional approaches to corporate and securities law, competition law, human rights, and a broad range of other important fields. Learn more.

How many semesters does a law degree take?

Choose from our 17 different dual degree programs. Most can be completed in six or seven semester s.

What is a JD/MA program?

Intrigued by the legal challenges of historic preservation and the stewardship of cultural resources? Immerse yourself in our JD/MA program in Preservation Studies. Offered jointly with the College of Arts & Sciences, this seven-semester dual degree program blends academic training in law and preservation courses with hands-on experience—including a three-month paid summer internship—to give you a well-rounded experience in this interdisciplinary field. Coursework covers historic preservation law, land use and real estate finance, and preservation management. Learn more.

What is a JD/MBA?

By earning a JD/MBA, you will make yourself marketable to companies and firms that need attorneys who understand the legal and management issues of the business world. This dual degree combines the strengths of BU’s Questrom School of Business, where you will learn results-oriented decision-making, and the School of Law, which provides you with the legal and analytical tools needed to understand how law affects management decisions. Learn more.

What is the JD/MA in English?

In the JD/MA in English program, offered jointly by BU’s School of Law and Graduate Program in English & American Literature, you will explore the common ground between law and literature, legal and literacy theory, rhetoric, and the role of law in literature. You will also learn textual analysis and interpretative techniques, which are important skills for an attorney to possess. Learn more.

What is the JD/LLM in taxation?

If you’re planning a career in tax law, the JD/LLM in Taxation is practically a prerequisite for the profession. Why not earn it in six or seven semesters from a tax law program consistently ranked among the top ten in the country by U.S. News & World Report? At BU Law, you will learn from a broad curriculum that balances tax law theory with practical application, while having opportunities to specialize in a particular area, such as business organizations and transactions, estate planning and wealth management, or international tax. Learn more.

What is a JD/MA in history?

Trying to decide between practicing and teaching law? With a JD/MA in History, offered jointly by BU’s School of Law and Department of History, you will improve your chances of securing a faculty appointment at a law school, particularly in the field of legal history. Even if you don’t pursue an academic career, you will take an array of courses across law and history that will enhance your analytical and writing skills, which you will need to be an effective attorney. Plus you can complete both degrees in only six semesters. Learn more.

What is Boston University School of Law?

Boston University School of Law, founded in 1872, is a top-tier law school with a dynamic community of students, faculty, staff, and alumni united in the pursuit of excellence. The core of the BU Law experience is superior teaching and a supportive, engaging learning environment in which teachers guide, inspire, and challenge their students.

What is a BU law professor?

BU Law professors are nationally acclaimed for their legal skills, scholarship, and activities in the public and private sectors. But what uniquely defines them is their devotion to students—academically, professionally, and individually. The superior value of a BU Law degree is recognized worldwide.

What is a LLM in banking?

Established in 1984, the Graduate Program in Banking and Financial Law was the first banking and financial services LLM program in the United States with its own faculty and a curriculum of specialized courses designed exclusively for graduate study.

What is the minimum TOEFL score for law school?

Minimum TOEFL: 600/250/100; minimum IELTS: 7.0. Domestic applicants must hold a JD from an ABA-approved law school; international candidates must have a first degree in law, or its equivalent, from a school outside of the United States. Approximately 50 full-time and 3 to 5 part-time students participate each year.

What is a legal English certificate?

The Legal English Certificate Program is a 25-credit, full-time residential program completed over one school year, designed to provide international students with intensive instruction in English communication and legal English, as well as a graduated and foundational exposure to American legal culture, vocabulary, concepts, and law school studies, including academic skills. It is offered in two tracks: the Certificate-Only track, a one-year program for those not seeking entry into a BU Law LLM program; and the Two-Year LLM track, a one-year program designed to prepare students for success in one of our LLM programs.

What is an executive LLM?

BU Law’s Executive LLM in International Business Law program presents both domestic and international lawyers with the unique opportunity to master the core topics of international business practice in a flexible, “executive” format. Taught by members of one of America’s top teaching faculties, the program blends world-class live instruction with cutting-edge Internet-mediated learning in a way that meets the needs of today’s most qualified LLM candidates—busy global practitioners whose professional demands make it impossible to complete a traditional nine-month LLM residency in Boston. Offered in two attractive locations—Boston, Massachusetts, and Budapest, Hungary—the program consists of three, two-week residential sessions that can be completed in one six-week summer session, or can be distributed over one year or several years. Students have the option to pursue online classes in international taxation and international environmental and energy law—and to obtain a concentration in these fields—thus giving them the flexibility to earn the degree by attending two residencies, combined with online studies from their home countries.

What is small class instruction?

Through small-class instruction, students build their legal English vocabularies, strengthen their writing skills, receive exposure to fundamental doctrine of the American legal system, and become acquainted with the materials, methodologies, and culture of American law school instruction.

What is business law?

Business Law is designed to provide students with an introduction to the substantive area of corporate/business law, and the practical skills necessary to serve as a corporate paralegal. Students will learn about the legal formation and functioning of various business entities, including corporations, partnerships, and limited liability companies; as well as learn to distinguish the formation, liability, and taxation attributes of these business entities. Through the lens of current events, students will also learn about the intersection of politics and business law; and receive a comprehensive introduction to corporate finance and securities regulation, an overview of Article 9 of the Uniform Commercial Code, and highlights of intellectual property law. Detailed analysis of business law transactions will help students gain the requisite legal knowledge and practical skills necessary to assist attorneys with various corporate transactions.

How long does it take to get a paralegal certificate?

The non-credit paralegal certificate is earned in fourteen weeks upon the successful completion of the modules described below.

What is probate and family law?

The Probate and Family Law module has four main areas of concentration: Estate Planning, Law of Same Sex Marriage, Divorce Law, and Estate Administration. In the Estate Planning section, students learn about wills and what happens if one dies without a will. A case study illustrates a typical chain of legal events that may unfold after a death. In the Law of Same Sex Marriage section, students undergo a review of the landmark Supreme Court decision and gain an understanding of the procedural path of this issue through state and federal courts. In the Divorce Law section, students learn the basics of divorce law, including child custody, alimony, and division of marital estates. Finally, in the Estate Administration section, students learn what executors and administrators do and explore the role of the paralegal in estate administration. Throughout the class, students will be exposed to the forms used in the Massachusetts Probate and Family Law Court, which are similar to those in other jurisdictions.

Why is legal writing important?

The most important aspect of legal writing is to understand the logic and rationale behind the writing. Through a series of writing assignments, students will be introduced to the manner in which lawyers reason.

Does Boston University respect privacy?

Boston University respects your right to privacy. By submitting this form, you consent to receive emails and calls from a representative of Boston University, which may include the use of automated technology. Consent is needed to contact you, but is not a requirement to register or enroll.

What do lawyers expect in law school?

According to Lang, the answer to this question “is the answer to almost every question you encounter in law school: it depends. Generally, a lawyer can expect to work hard. Most of the work is legal research, analysis and writing,” Lang said. “This is not to say it is not enjoyable. Ordinarily, lawyers feel like they are doing good for their client (or are sent on not losing a case) and so the work becomes enjoyable.” While certain firms expect you to work non-stop, others may not.

What is the work environment of a lawyer?

A lawyer’s work environment depends upon the “class” of employer for which he or she works. Those working for a large law firm will likely experience a completely different work environment than those working for the government or in-house. Chris Leibig, an award-winning criminal defense attorney said his job is “ not at all a nine to five job. If I don’t have to go to court I come in at 10. Most nights, I’m taking phone calls. I do lots of jail visits on the weekends, if I’m in town.”

How much does a criminal justice lawyer make?

Criminal Justice Lawyers in America make an average salary of $49,410 per year or $24 per hour. The top 10 percent makes over $65,000 per year, while the bottom 10 percent under $37,000 per year.

What are the best states to become a criminal justice lawyer?

The best states for people in this position are California, Washington, Arizona, and Colorado. Criminal justice lawyers make the most in California with an average salary of $106,992. Whereas in Washington and Arizona, they would average $83,463 and $77,048, respectively. While criminal justice lawyers would only make an average of $75,963 in Colorado, you would still make more there than in the rest of the country. We determined these as the best states based on job availability and pay. By finding the median salary, cost of living, and using the Bureau of Labor Statistics' Location Quotient, we narrowed down our list of states to these four.

What do criminal justice lawyers do?

Criminal justice lawyers provide legal representation for people accused of a crime. They research the cases they take on to build viable defense strategies. They advise their defendants on the best course of action, navigating plea bargains and settlements as well as fighting for their defendants' rights in court.#N#You will need a law degree specializing in criminal law if you want to consider this career option. Your job will be to interpret legal regulations and find the interpretation that best suits your client. Informing your clients about their rights and options is a big part of your responsibilities.#N#Being passionate about criminal justice will play an important role in your success in this profession. You will also need superb public speaking skills, as your presentation may very well make or break your case. Being professional and compassionate will make you popular among your clients as people deserve respect regardless of the crime they were accused of.

Boston University Law School Overview

The School of Law at Boston University has an application deadline of April 1. The full-time program application fee at the School of Law at Boston University is $85. Its tuition is full-time: $58,962. The student-faculty ratio is 6.1:1.

Boston University 2022 Rankings

Boston University is ranked No. 20 in Best Law Schools. Schools are ranked according to their performance across a set of widely accepted indicators of excellence.

Do you work at Boston University?

Manage your school's public image and connection with students using U.S. News Student Connect.

What is a Family Lawyer

There is more than meets the eye when it comes to being a Family Lawyer. For example, did you know that they make an average of $52.96 an hour? That's $110,166 a year!

Average Salary for a Family Lawyer

Family Lawyers in America make an average salary of $110,166 per year or $53 per hour. The top 10 percent makes over $205,000 per year, while the bottom 10 percent under $59,000 per year.

Online Courses For Family Lawyer That You May Like

A comprehensive course for management to understand key employment law issues in the workplace...

How Do Family Lawyer Rate Their Jobs?

Rate how you like work as Family Lawyer. It's anonymous and will only take a minute.

Our Faculty

Professor Madoff influences a US Senate move to reform donor-advised funds.

News

Prof Dan Lyons' blog post in AEI explores why America's nuclear policies setback tech and climate initiatives.

Financial Assistance

We rank #2 among private schools whose salaries for graduates most outweigh debt with a salary to debt ratio of 2.25:1 (U.S. News & World Report).

Meet Our Community

Our community is diverse—in backgrounds, interests, and experiences. Discover what BC Law students, faculty, and alumni are like, where they work, and what they do, on campus and beyond.

Student & Alumni Ambassadors

Want to know more about our community, life on campus, or alumni connections? Contact an ambassador.

Boston: Your Career Begins Here

The Boston area is a new lawyer’s dream, with thousands of law firms, a variety of industries, and the support of BC Law alumni who live and work here.

Introduction

Law School Enrollment

Physical Facilities

  1. The Sumner M. Redstone Building:Built in 2014 and connected to the fully modernized Law Tower, the 100,000-square-foot, five-story structure houses most of the law school’s classrooms, which are eq...
  2. Libraries:The Samuel M. Fineman and Pappas Law Libraries are among the nation’s top libraries with rich collections; spectacular, new state-of-the-art facilities; and one of the most …
  1. The Sumner M. Redstone Building:Built in 2014 and connected to the fully modernized Law Tower, the 100,000-square-foot, five-story structure houses most of the law school’s classrooms, which are eq...
  2. Libraries:The Samuel M. Fineman and Pappas Law Libraries are among the nation’s top libraries with rich collections; spectacular, new state-of-the-art facilities; and one of the most extensive lega...
  3. Sports and Entertainment:BU’s world-class, state-of-the-art Fitness and Recreation Center and the adjacent Agganis Arena, one of the top music and entertainment venues in New England, provide stude...
  4. Technology:BU Law houses four computer labs. Top-end wireless Internet access is availabl…

Housing

  • LLM students live off campus, usually within a short walk or a convenient subway ride from school. BU Law offers housing resources to assist all incoming LLM students in finding suitable accommodations. The university owns and manages several rental properties for students in various neighborhoods, including a graduate student apartment building on Commonwealth Ave…
See more on lsac.org

LLM Programs/Areas of Specialization

  • LLM in American Law Program
    This full-time program integrates internationally educated lawyers into BU Law’s JD classroom. It is ideally suited for students who seek an “immersion” experience in common law studies, the flexibility to select from the school’s 200-plus course offerings, and firsthand exposure to one o…
  • LLM in Banking and Financial Law
    Established in 1984, the Graduate Program in Banking and Financial Law was the first banking and financial services LLM program in the United States with its own faculty and a curriculum of specialized courses designed exclusively for graduate study. The faculty primarily consists of hi…
See more on lsac.org

Legal English

  1. Boston Program: For international LLM students seeking preparation for their upcoming graduate studies in America, Boston University’s Center for English Language and Orientation Programs (CELOP) o...
  2. Extended LLM Option:Prospective students with impressive qualifications who need extended, intensive English language training before commencing full-time law studies are encouraged …
  1. Boston Program: For international LLM students seeking preparation for their upcoming graduate studies in America, Boston University’s Center for English Language and Orientation Programs (CELOP) o...
  2. Extended LLM Option:Prospective students with impressive qualifications who need extended, intensive English language training before commencing full-time law studies are encouraged to consider BU...

Certificate Programs

  • In addition to our LLM programs, BU Law now offers several distinct graduate certificate programs. Offered by BU Law’s top-notch graduate programs, certificates can be achieved as a stand-alone credential, or as a part of an LLM degree program. While the certificate programs are designed for qualified lawyers, BU Law welcomes applications from highly qualified candidates …
See more on lsac.org

Student Services and Organizations

  • We encourage LLM students to enrich their experiences by participating in extracurricular activities, student organizations, community service, and other pursuits outside the classroom that will contribute to their intellectual, professional, and personal growth. BU Law organizes a wealth of activities to help students connect with their fellow LLM and JD classmates. As an LL…
See more on lsac.org

Career Services

  • BU Law has an unwavering commitment to the career success of its LLM students. We offer a variety of programs for LLM students, including workshops on job searches, professional etiquette, rĂ©sumĂ© and cover-letter drafting, networking, and interviewing skills. We also organize career-related panels and host speakers from specialized areas of practice. The Graduate and In…
See more on lsac.org